2012 BMW M3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 BMW M3 has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 0 per year. That is about even with the other M3 years here. Their median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Inflator and Fuses and circuit breakers.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (4 of 6) and Engine (2).

Next to 2013

The 2013 M3 has 13 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 BMW M3. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2020-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall electrical system, wiring, fuses and circuit breakers 2019-06-19 · NHTSA campaign 19V472000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2016-02-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V071000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (6 total)

Air bags

Engine

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE THE ROD BEARINGS AND CRANK SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE. I WAS IN MOTION AROUND 60MPH ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AFTER AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT I…"
Engine · filed 2019-08-08
"WHEN I CALLED BMW TO HAVE MY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACED THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. THE DEFECT CAN APPARENTLY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH SO I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THEY DO THIS IMMEDIATELY."
Air bags · filed 2017-10-02
"TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 ( AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION…"
Air bags · filed 2017-07-26
"TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON…"
Air bags · filed 2017-02-03
"TAKATA RECALL IS TAKING TOO LONG TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 2012 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. I CALLED RUSNAK BMW IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA IN NOVEMBER 2016 FOR A STATUS UPDATE AS TO WHY THEY STILL HAVE NOT CONTACTED…"
Air bags · filed 2016-12-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 BMW M3 2 DR RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2012 BMW M3 C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
M3 convertible	4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (7-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$5000
M3 convertible	4L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$5000
M3 Coupe	4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (7-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$5000
M3 Coupe	4L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	21	16 MPG	$5000

Specs and fitment

E90 / E92 / E93 M3, 2012–2013

Body styles Sedan, Coupe, Convertible

Oil 10W-60 (S65 V8) , 9.3 qt capacity

Tire size 245/40ZR18 (OE); 245/35ZR19 optional front / 265/40ZR18 (OE); 265/35ZR19 optional rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V017000 covers certain late E90-generation M3 models among a broad list of 2008-2013 BMW cars for a Takata driver frontal air bag inflator that can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin; dealers replace the driver air bag. Campaign unit totals and model lists span many BMW nameplates, not M3 alone.

Compare

Next year 2013 BMW M3 See every BMW M3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 BMW M3 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 BMW M3?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (4 of 6) and Engine (2).

Is the 2012 BMW M3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 M3 has 13 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

Has the 2012 BMW M3 been recalled?

The 2012 BMW M3 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 BMW M3?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2012 BMW M3 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 BMW M3 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 BMW M3 is 16 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a BMW M3 use?

Viscosity depends on generation: late E90 models use 10W-60 (about 9.3 qt on the S65 V8), F80 uses 0W-30 (about 6.9 qt on the S55), and G80 specs cite 0W-30 with generation-specific capacity—confirm in the manual.

What are typical BMW M3 tire sizes?

Staggered fitments are common—for example 245/40ZR18 front and 265/40ZR18 rear on late E90, 255/40ZR18 and 275/40ZR18 on F80, with optional 19-inch sizes; always match the placard for your M3 year.

What NHTSA recalls mention the BMW M3?

Campaigns on file include 20V-017 (Takata driver air bag on many 2008-2013 BMW cars including late E90 M3), 15V-782 and 16V-653 (F80 driveshaft and rear sub-frame bolts with small shared M3/M4 unit counts).